San Diego - Local businesses have filed complaints with the city council about crowding and malodor as thousands of comic book, fantasy and science fiction fans who left Comic-Con 2006 last Sunday immediately began to line up outside the San Diego Convention Center for Comic-Con 2007.

“I would have been back in line last Sunday evening, but I had to make some important repairs to my Stormtrooper costume,” said Bob Fett, who as second in line for next year’s LucasFilm panel. “I got a crack in my spacesuit shell, and there’s an autobody guy in New Mexico who’s the only one willing to fix it. But now I’m back, and I’m so ready to wait.”

“My singular goal for calendar year 2006 was to attend the ‘Battlestar Galactica’ panel at Comic-Con and ask [executive producer] Ron Moore about possible weapons upgrades for the Galactica before it returns to battle the Cylons on New Caprica City, but I foolishly went to my grandfather’s funeral three weeks prior and got on the line too late,” added Garth Ranzz, one of the fans camped out by the Convention Center. “I’ll never make that mistake again!”

Approximately 1,500 fans have formed lines for expected panels at Comic-Con 2007 on topics such as the “Star Wars” television spin-offs, 2008’s “Batman Begins” sequel, and the third edition of a card-based role playing game inspired by the Japanese anime series “Yu-Gi-Oh.”

The settlement on the east side of the Center has been dubbed “Geek City” by the San Diego press. Amenities set up by fans waiting on line for Comic-Con 2007 include plasma TVs permanently set to the Sci-Fi Channel, an independent comic book and anime store, and an open field for human chess matches.

Many businesses located near the San Diego Convention Center have complained to the city council, asking for “Geek City” to be disbanded, as its residents are allegedly scaring tourists and creating a foul odor that has pervaded the city.

But the council has refused to act. “Our research shows that thanks to Comic-Con, geek-related activities account for 38% of our city’s economic activity,” said a spokesperson. “Our message to science-fiction, fantasy, anime, and role-playing fans is that San Diego is a great place to visit, live, and do business. You’re all welcome here!”

Hal Jordan, the recently elected Grand Vizor of the High Council of fans waiting outside the Convention Center, said his community has no intention of leaving, despite growing pressure.

“We are not the casual so-called ‘fans’ who can only be bothered to take a week off of their jobs and wait on line for a day or two and expect to get the honor of sitting in a room with the creators of the graphic novel based on the upcoming NBC series ‘Heroes,’” Jordan said. “We are the heart and soul of American fandom and we will never abandon our posts a mere 11 months and three weeks before Comic-Con 2007.”

Jordan added that a new line has just formed of fans who plan to be the first to enter Comic-Con 2008, where they hope to sit in the front row of an expected panel for the sequel to “Superman Returns,” which may be released in 2009.